Fitness / February 4, 2024

Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini Sauce

A wonderful appy or side dish with a Lebanese twist, this is a healthy substitute for those “chips ‘n’ dip” moments.

Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini Sauce top shot

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Our love for cauliflower is no secret. It’s one of the most versatile vegetables out there, taking on any flavors you throw at it to create a wide range or delicious snacks, sides and mains.

Here we’re infusing it with a pink, smoky blush, and pairing it with a green tahini sauce that complements it beautifully.

The dip has the traditional tahini sauce attributes of being creamy and garlicky, then we add herby and slightly sweet flavors to round it out.

You’re getting two recipes in one here – the cauliflower pairs well with a number of dips, and has enough going for it to stand alone. The sauce would work just as well with grilled meats and raw crudité.

Is Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini Sauce Healthy?

Cauliflower is a very healthy vegetable. It’s low in calories, high in fiber and contains many important vitamins and nutrients. The sauce is fairly calorie dense – if this is an issue to you try substituting the tahini for greek yoghurt.

What is Tahini?

Tahini is made of ground up sesame seeds. It is relatively high in fat, but the fats are healthy ones. It also contains plenty of fiber. Tahini is an essential ingredient in hummus and baba ganoush, and a sauce made from it is a staple at every shawarma and falafel joint on the planet.

INGREDIENTS

1 head Cauliflower cut into florets
3 Tbsp Olive oil
2 Tbsp Smoked Paprika
Salt and Pepper
2 small cloves Garlic crushed
1 tsp Honey
2 Tbsp Lemon juice
1 Green Onion chopped
¼ cup Fresh Italian Parsley
¼ cup Fresh Basil
2 Tbsp Fresh Dill
½ cup Tahini

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat the oven to 400F. Pop the cauliflower florets into a bowl with the olive oil, smoked paprika, salt and pepper.
Place the cauliflower onto the baking tray and spread out. Then pop into the oven to bake for 15 – 20 minutes.
Make the sauce by adding the garlic, honey, lemon juice, green onion, Italian parsley, basil, dill, tahini, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Pour in 2 tablespoons of water and blend on high until it is smooth. If it is struggling to blend then add in a little more water to make it smooth. Just don’t add too much at a time as it is harder to get it to thicken again.
Serve the roasted cauliflower in a bowl with the sauce in a small bowl. Otherwise, drizzle it over the cauliflower and serve.

Tips and Tricks to Make a Perfect Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini Sauce

stir your tahini thoroughly before making this sauce. the fats tend to float and the solids settle in a jar that’s been sitting a long time. Pro tip: close your jar tightly and store it upside down to make stirring easier.
Ice water or even ice cubes will make a smoother sauce. Add these in small increments to achieve the best consistency – your tahini sauce might actually get thicker before it thins out.
Store tahini at room temperature, even after you open the jar.
Not all tahini is created equal. We like Lebanese tahini for its round flavor and creaminess. Greek tahini has a slightly bitter edge. Tahini has become increasingly popular in recent years and is often made locally with imported ingredients.

Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini Sauce close up view

FAQs

how do i make the cauliflower softer?

simply parboil the florets for five minutes and then proceed with the recipe as written. Make sure to drain the florets well before tossing in the oil.

can i leave the herbs out of the sauce?

Absolutely. Without the herbs you’ll have a more “traditional” tahini sauce, but we think the herbs add an extra layer of flavor. Feel free to change up the herb mixture with whatever you have on hand.

i’m not getting those lovely crispy edges on my florets.

Oven temperatures vary, so you can always try turning your oven up a little. A good trick is to turn on the broiler for a couple of minutes to finish the dish.

Serving Suggestions

This dish makes a lovely snack or appetizer, but works equally well as a side dish. Try it with delicious and juicy chicken thighs.

Make Ahead and Storage

Both the cauliflower and the sauce will hold for three days in the fridge. Bring the sauce up to room temperature for two hours before serving, and reheat the cauliflower in the oven or air fryer if you have one. Neither of these items freeze well.

Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini Sauce

A wonderful appy or side dish with a Lebanese twist, this is a healthy substitute for those “chips ‘n’ dip” moments.

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Servings

Calories 328kcal

Author FoodFaithFitness

Ingredients

1 head Cauliflower cut into florets
3 Tbsp Olive oil
2 Tbsp Smoked Paprika
Salt and Pepper
2 small cloves Garlic crushed
1 tsp Honey
2 Tbsp Lemon juice
1 Green Onion chopped
¼ cup Fresh Italian Parsley
¼ cup Fresh Basil
2 Tbsp Fresh Dill
½ cup Tahini

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400F. Pop the cauliflower florets into a bowl with the olive oil, smoked paprika, salt and pepper.
Place the cauliflower onto the baking tray and spread out. Then pop into the oven to bake for 15 – 20 minutes.
Make the sauce by adding the garlic, honey, lemon juice, green onion, Italian parsley, basil, dill, tahini, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Pour in 2 tablespoons of water and blend on high until it is smooth. If it is struggling to blend then add in a little more water to make it smooth. Just don’t add too much at a time as it is harder to get it to thicken again.
Serve the roasted cauliflower in a bowl with the sauce in a small bowl. Otherwise, drizzle it over the cauliflower and serve.